Songs of praise and worship with Don Moen on Nov. 10

Wake-uppers:

Scene: From Lion and fellow journalist Priscilla Richards, this invitation:  The U.S. Embassy will host “U.S. Election Watch 2012,” in partnership with SM City Cebu on November 7, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 3 pm.  Guests at the event can vote in a “mock election,” watch live elections returns from the actual polls in the U.S., and take part in intermission activities such as trivia games, a free photo booth, and avail of elections-related information. Representatives of the U.S. Embassy will be on hand to answer questions pertaining to the U.S. elections, and the U.S. electoral system.

Atty. Delgado

Scene: As Halloween approaches, excited costume enthusiasts queue at BQ Mall to buy some Halloween costumes and props such as skull face glowing or bleeding costume, witches, vampires, hanging screaming zombie, inflatable body form and other ghoulish trick-or-treating costumes. Skulls and other scary objects are to greet people at the entrance of the Island City Mall. Bohol's first hotel, the Hotel La Roca, has creepy and creative Halloween decorations. At the Tagbilaran City Square, Hoocha has also Halloween decors to treat customers.  There will be an Ultimate Halloween Dance Party on Oct. 31 at JAD Memorial Center in Loboc town. Dubbed the Hottest Halloween Disco in Loboc, entrance fee is P30 with one bottle SMB, while partygoers can pay P400 pesos per table which is good for four persons. Tickets are available at the Loboc Tourism Office or call 510-1428. 

Seen: Lawyer Julius Gregory Delgado is spotted in Japan. He is enjoying Kyoto, Japan’s ancient city and Osaka and Nara. He posted on Facebook: “Kampai para sa mahabang buhay! In joy and sorrow, triumph and defeat, Sake is part of Japenese life!”

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God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way…
               - Don Moen

Don Moen

What an inspiring (powerful) song, isn’t it? I’ve been listening to Don Moen ever since I was a kid at the old Caingget neighborhood. I love his songs. It’s really true that God will make a way for each one of us whatever troubles or big problems we have. God will never leave nor forsake us. 

Many people from all over the world can testify that God Will Make A Way has helped them (including yours truly) renew their faith so many times especially during tough times when we feel like God is nowhere to be found. 

Here is a trivia: Don Moen’s song God Will Make A Way sprang from a tragedy in his family. According to praisecharts.com, “after learning that his young nephew was killed in a car accident, Don Moen searched for some way to help bring comfort to his grieving family even as he struggled with his own sorrow. While reading Isaiah 43, he asked God to give him something that would bring hope to the family in the middle of a hopeless situation. As he prayed, the words for “God Will Make A Way,” came to mind. He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me. For a while, that song remained a private message for his family. But slowly, he began sharing it with others and soon found that it was a message for the whole church. A message to cling to when “there seems to be no way.”

Don Moen will perform at the Bohol Wisdom gym on Nov. 10 in a concert produced by Ovation Productions. The concert is part of his three-day tour “God Will Make A Way! Philippine Tour 2012.” (Don Moen will have performances on Nov. 8 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City and at the JCCU Auditorium in Butuan City on Nov.11.)

Expect Don Moen to include in his repertoire his hits praise-and-music songs that interpret closely the words of the Bible, such as God Will Make A Way, Thank You, Lord, God Is Good All The Time and Give Thanks.

Other Christian songs that he has popularized include Lord, I Offer My Life To You, I Want To Be Where You Are, Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord, Celebrate, Jesus, Celebrate, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, and many more.

Now at 62, Don Moen is as captivating as ever, treating audiences all over the world with his worship songs. His voice quality has remained the same through the years. He produced a total of 11 volumes in the series, including the first album, Hosanna! Music: Give Thanks, which sold hundreds of thousands of copies and became the label’s bestseller and his list of accomplishments (a Dove Award) is a testament to an incredible professional career as singer, composer, pastor and producer of Christian music. 

Don Moen has enjoyed a long music career that refuses to fade away because God and the fans won’t allow it.  It will be a history that Don Moen makes his Bohol debut on Nov.10. You can’t afford to miss watching one of the greatest performers in Christian music history — it’s a chance of a lifetime.

Tickets are priced at P1, 200 (Gold/Court Area), P700 (Silver/ Lower Side Bleacher) and P400 (Bronze/General Admission).  Ticket outlets are PCBS (call 501 0823), Island City Mall, Bohol Tropics Resort and All Dunkin Donut Outlets.  For details, call

0923-160-5876 (Claire), 0927-211-2448 and 0921-284-7653 (Rachael).

***

Mayor Nene gets warm birthday cheers from people

Sevilla Mayor Digal

Sevilla’s well-loved public servant Mayor Ernesita “Nene” Digal celebrated her birthday last Saturday, October 20, at Digal’s residence in Poblacion, Sevilla town. 

Rain or shine, the celebration went smoothly as the people of Sevilla were treated a birthday celebration ala fiesta. Heavy rain didn’t stop those invited from showing up. 

Mayor Nene, as she is fondly called in Sevilla, played host to her people and friends from academe and politics, such as Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan, reelectionist Rep. Art Yap and former provincial board member Josil Trabajo.

"What is Mayor Nene’s wish?"  Inday Charity chided the birthday girl. Mayor Nene’s daughter, Karen, who’s former SK municipal federation president, answered for her mom, “Good health and mudaog siya!” 

Mayor Nene is seeking reelection in May 2013 elections. 

Also present were her Vice Mayor (to be) Councilor  Victoriano Fernandez and councilors (to be)  Geny Calamba, Marcelita Adolfo, Glenn Rubenial, Beverly Beniga, Dinah Barrete and reelectionists Councilors Marcelo Item, Antonio Patac and Anastacia Lagrosa. 

Of course, Mayor Nene’s husband, former Mayor Ceferino Digal, was also there entertaining guests and visitors. He has significantly improved Sevilla during his three consecutive terms.

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Tracy is elected gay assn prexy

Tracy Torres

Bohol's most popular make-up artist and hairstylist Tracy Remolador Torres is the newly-elected president of the newly-formed gay association of Tagbilaran City. 

According to Kim (who posted on Facebook that s(he) is hoping for peace, unity and progress to the group),  other elected officials are Jun Quimpan as vice president,  Charlow Arbasto as secretary, EJ Relampagos (treasurer), Rany Gespert ( auditor), Rizalino Torralba aka Inday Rufing and Alexis Calediña are press relation officers, sergeant at arms are Reynald Culgue, Stanley Hamilton Sevilla and Jonathan Ocat and Donna Betos (muse). 

The oathtaking of the new officials and members is in December.

 The United Society of Artists (USA) is the newest Tagbilaran-based gay/bisexual and transgender rights organization and the new progressive voice for full gay equality. Tracy has distinguished himself as a strong supporter and advocate for human rights. 

“It is both exciting and a privilege to be part of this association," he says. “I am deeply inspired by the people of all ages and circumstances and from all backgrounds who create positive change in their communities.”

According to Tracy, the Boholano Gay Community has undeniably been the backbone of many events in the province. 

“I am confident that this organization will reach its goals of providing peace, unity, and progress to the Gay Community of Tagbilaran City,” says Tracy. “I am encouraging everyone to actively participate in all our advocacies. I, as the President of this organization, I will do my best for the betterment of the gay community of this city and for the progress of our home province Bohol  and with that, I encourage everyone to join me in this cause because we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided! Thank you!”

***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

St. Pedro Calungsod: A model of purity, faithfulness for the youth

This just in: A five-foot tall statue of Blessed Pedro Calungsod (who will be elevated to the altar of the Universal Church today, Oct. 21, the second Filipino to be canonized in the history of the Catholic Church after Pope John Paul II canonized Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila in 1987) found in barangay Malbog, Jagna town, is now a popular pilgrimage site. The only statue dedicated to Pedro Calungsod in Bohol, tourists and pilgrims pray before the statue and leave written prayers at the foot of the statue.

in Malbog, Jagna, Bohol

For centuries, Pedro Calungsod has been a symbol of hope for many Filipinos, despite the grim details of his short and painful life.

Boholanos hold some affinity to the Filipino saint having reportedly stayed in Loboc. In fact, some Boholanos (Bishop Leonardo Medroso and some 45 Boholano priests and pilgrims including Rev. Fr. Alfredo Amora, Rev. Fr. Presciano Boncales, Rev. Fr. Eutemio Espina, Rev. Fr. Felix Tabigue, Rev. Fr. Abet Uy,  former Gov. and Mrs. Constancio Torralba and daughter Fluer de liz Tubio, former provincial board member Corazon Galbreath, Atty. and Mrs. Jun Amora,  Jun  and Anabel Caturza with children Joannah Lou and Jun Constantine, Dr. Grace Araneta, Dr. Maria Jasmin Relampagos, Dr. Leta Cutamora, Mr. and Mrs. Perkin Ong, Mr. and Mrs. Efren Tanjay, Engr. and Mrs. Gregorio Sayson, Mr. and Mrs. Peregrino Real, Aquilina Malanog, Estela Malanog, Imelda Moser, Betty Balatero, Zosima Acuram, Joaquina Uy,  Erlinda Sarmiento,   Adelia de la Serna, Minda Nemenzo, Maria Elena Amodia,  Charlie Balani, Bernadette Rances,  Zenaida Tapang,  Cristita Toleron, Carmelita Azarcon, Marielle Cheza Acedo, Alberlita Morales  and Zarah Dejaresco of Angels' Wings Tours and Travel  who escorted and organized the pilgrimage) are on hand at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome to witness Calungsod’s canonization.

Very little is known about Pedro Calungsod.  According to the Calungsod website, he was a teenage boy from the Visayas who went with some Spanish Jesuit missionaries from the Philippines to the Ladrones Islands in 1668 to evangelize the Chamorros.

 "Very little is known about him. We do not even know where exactly in the Visayas he came from or who his parents were," the site said.

Historians take great pleasure in locating the birthplaces of great figures from the past. This is particularly true when the birthplace has been the subject of heated debate, as is the case for Pedro Calungsod. There have been claims and counterclaims. The Calungsods in Ginatilan, Cebu claimed that Pedro was their great-great-great-grandfather.  Other said Calungsod was born in Molo, Iloilo City circa 1655. Boholanos said Pedro was from Loboc. For various reasons, however, none of these provides a satisfactory solution.

According to historian and cultural icon Prof. Jose Marianito Luspo, there was no record of Calungsod’s education in Loboc.  However, he pointed out that there is a possibility that Calungsod stayed in Loboc.

“Actually, I have not found any direct evidence to prove that Beato Pedro Calungsod ever studied in Loboc,” continued Luspo, “In fact, the only claim that the people of Loboc have about his origin there are people carrying the family name “Cal” living in the town. Other than that there has not any documentary evidence that he was a student.”

The Caturzas- Jun Caturza and his wife Anabel with children Joannah Lou and Jun Constantine- and other Filipino pilgrims are in Rome today to witness the canonization rites of the young catechist and martyr who remained true to his Catholic faith until his death. Contributed Photo

One thing is for sure- there was a school in Loboc, the Seminario Colegio de Loboc.

“They have undergone the same system followed since the beginning of the school. Training school dili na seminario para mga pari,” clarified Luspo, “The school was the training ground for westernization not only the religion class but also how to believe like a westerner including teaching them the western music.”

He elaborated, “We have to put everything in context.  The Jesuits in the places that were assigned to them, they opened schools for the natives. These are not ordinary natives but children of the local nobility. They started in Iloilo. They believed that to educate the nobility, when they would become rulers of the place or their own kingdom, they would make also everybody Catholic."

After 1604, Loboc has no record of the students of the school.

“We don't have records right now who were the students of the school,” said Luspo. “The school was a strong training in terms of academic and at the same time they are helpers of the missionaries. They kept moving around Bohol, these students assist the Jesuit missionaries.”

Asked if Calungsod belonged to a wealthy family, Luspo said that maybe Calungsod came from a prominent family.  “Either he comes from the royalty or local nobility; we never had a record of him.”

Msgr. Ildebrando Jesus Alino Leyson in his book Pedro Calungsod Bisaya, Prospects of a Teenage Filipino said that “"Calungsod" is a very native and descriptive Visayan family name. His family name is variously spelled in the different documents as "Calonsor,"  "Calongsor,"  "Calangsor,"  or "Calansor".  His real family name must have been Calungsod. The variations of the spelling of Pedro's family name in the documents may have been due to the Spanish authors' inability to accurately hear a Filipino name.”

His baptismal record cannot be found.  Most, if not all the baptismal records of the 17th century in the Visayas have been destroyed by fires, typhoons or termites.

The only source of information about him are found in the documents on the martyrdom of P. Diego Luis San Vitores, SJ.  

According to Vatican, Pedro Calungsod may only have been in his early teens (between 12 and 15 years old) when he went with Padre Diego to Guam in 1668. He was one of the young catechists who went with some Spanish Jesuit missionaries to the Ladrones Islands to evangelize the Chamorros. At that time, the Ladrones Islands were part of the Diocese of Cebu.  

Pedro died at 17 in Guam while trying to defend his fellow mission worker, Jesuit priest and now Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, when natives attacked them on April 2, 1672.

Calungsod was struck by a spear and his skull was split by a machete blow. Their bodies were then tied together and thrown into the sea.

“The record is not very clear. He was no longer affiliated with the Jesuits in Loboc. The Jesuits mentioned him by name which was very rare at that time. During the Spanish period, seldom you can find natives being mentioned.  There was no mentioned of Pedro Calungsod before, but he was martyred, his name was reported among those who died in the faith,” said Luspo.

Cardinal Vidal had called Calungsod a Cebuano, as he was part of the Cebu diocese at the time of his death. In the 1600s, the diocese included the whole of Visayas, Mindanao and the Marianas Islands. He was also the one who revealed that the young catechist would be known as “San Pedro de Cebu.”

Luspo clarified: “Everybody now, from Cebu, Iloilo, Bohol, is claiming he comes from his own province. But we should not quarrel over that. There was only one Visayan Jesuit mission at the time, the Cebu mission. Even if his name is Saint Pedro Calungsod de Cebu, the Cebuanos should be historically opened enough to admit that the Cebu there doesn't mean the only town or city of Cebu but it means the entire region.  Bohol and other islands are always reported under Cebu.”

“If you are considered a saint,” added Luspo, “you are saint with universal appeal. Saints are not supposed to be nationalistic figures that tend to be divisive in the long run. Saints are people who have gone above the call of nationality in order to answer the higher cause of the Universal church. Therefore, I am not convinced that the promotion of saint is based on regionalist or ethnic ground. It should be all for the glory of the universal church.”

In his homily during the beatification, Pope John Paul II called on the youth to emulate Calungsod. “From his childhood, Pedro Calungsod declared himself unwaveringly for Christ and responded generously to His call. Young people today can draw encouragement and strength from the example of Pedro, whose love of Jesus inspired him to devote his teenage years to teaching the faith as a lay catechist,” John Paul said.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Pedro Calungsod is a model of purity and faithfulness for the youth.

If walls of Loboc Church could talk, I am sure it has many stories to tell about the young martyr.

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

Boholana beauty queen achiever and other tidbits

Wake-uppers:

Dr. Tayag

Seen: Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag was spotted in Bohol last Wednesday, Oct. 10. Tayag was the speaker of University of Bohol’s Diamond 2013 staff development program. According to John Edgar Tiu, the organizer of the event, there was a “dance for health program” number with Doc Tayag.

 

Scene: President Aquino's younger cousin and former Youth Commissioner (NYC) and founder of Happinoy, a cooperative for small-medium investors and businesses Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV visited Bohol last Oct. 10. Bam attended the Getafe Foundation Day celebration with reelectionist Gov. Edgar Chatto. Accompanied by former NYC commissioner and now DAR consultant Benjie Oliva and provincial administrator Ae Damalerio, Bam met the press people at Metro Center Hotel. He twitted: “You have everything in Bohol - beach, mountains, adventure, nature, seafood and most of all, kind, accommodating and hospitable Pinoys!”

 

Scene: A daughter of a local chief executive was bloodied and bruised after allegedly being beaten up by ex-boyfriend. According to VRS, there are angry welts on the daughter’s forehead over both brows, grazing to one cheek, cuts to her chin, swellings around her eyes and marks on her nose and lips. The incident happened last Thursday when the daughter accidentally met the ex-bf. The daughter didn't report the incident to the police but asked her friends instead. Her whole family didn't know about the incident.

Bam Aquino

 

Scene: The campaign trail is on! Ask politicians what is it that they cannot live without? And they might tell you that, yes, it’s a bottle of alcohol. The handwash habit is popular with this rising politician which his factotum (read: alalay) has alcohol every time he’s on the campaign trail shaking hands with people. “Lami kaayo siya mo-smile namo,” complained a voter (not anymore!), “pero mutalikod na dayun pangayo sa alcohol kay manghugas sa iyang kamot.” Clue? There are two “l’s,” two “e’s” and this politician has “mysophobia” ever since. Then, another politician is taking no chances as she washes her mitts with sanitizer after shaking hands with people. This politician is now busy campaigning and attending purok-purok tapok. But once she got back to her car her alalay squeezed a dollop of gel on to her hands to kill off any unwanted germs and bugs. A voter heard her saying, "Baho kaayo ang mga tawo,ew...hugaw jud." Now, the voter won't vote for her in 2013 elections. "What an insult! Ew pud siya noh!" Germs, germs, germs!    

                      

Scene: Correction please! Brigadier General Joseph Sevilla is not running for governor as reported by Bared last week. He is running for Bohol vice governor. No, Inabanga Mayor Jono Jumamoy is not running for re-election in next year’s elections. According to VRS, he has plans to stay in Australia. Missed out in Bared’s list of political luminaries running were provincial board member Roygie Jumamoy for mayor of Inabanga against Ipafanio Muñises, Tagbilaran City Poblacion 1 Barangay Chairman Arlene Karaan for board member of the first district of Bohol,  Buenavista Mayor Ronald Lowell Tirol for reelection against Alfonso “Boy” del Rosario, Jagna Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla for reelection against Vice Mayor Exuperio Lloren, Maribojoc Mayor Leoncio Evasco for reelection against former provincial board member Jose Veloso (for the second time) and Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala for reelection against Vice Mayor Evangeline Lazaro and former councilor Leonila Montero.

 

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Being Miss Bohol Sandugo truly meant being more than just a beauty queen. It declared having both brains and beauty— that is to say good looks mixed with a sophisticated mind—so one could carry oneself with exemplary grace and meaningful impact in the province.

 

At the eve of their crowning itself, the winners already had gone very far in their youth proving that youth like beauty knows no age. They have gone to become the best they could be in their chosen fields.

Celevel Ranoco

 

Case in point: Miss Bohol Sandugo 1992 Celevel Ranoco.

 

Anyway, Bohol’s seasoned host (and now a blogger) Raul Gatal has to share about Celevel.

 

Jagna set an unprecedented feat in 1992 when its bet Celevel Ranoco won for the town its third consecutive Miss Bohol Sandugo title. The first two were Tiffany Yap 1990 and Recelle Adlaon 1991. Until now, the record has been unbeaten. Tubigon  which won the crown twice with back-to-back victories in 2010 and 2011 almost tied with Jagna this year with its 1st runner up placement to the winner who by a twist of fate also comes from Jagna

 

Back in the 1992 edition of Miss Bohol Sandugo, Celevel with her sultry looks and morena complexion was not the pre- pageant favorite but on that fateful night, the moment she strutted her stuff, sashayed onstage and spoke her mind and heart out, everyone including the members of the Panel of Judges were simply mesmerized with her. 

 

She was the picture of the modern and contemporary Boholana; confident and witty yet grounded and well- mannered

 

She is making waves in the world of advertising, conquering new horizons and daring to go where only a few of her paisanos and is now reaping the just rewards for her ground- breaking and innovative marketing savvy with her present position as the General Manager at Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising - Singapore

 

She is described as a top advertising executive who comes with years of international brand management and account handling experience and is equally armed with senior marketing experience from the client land. 

 

Furthermore, she embraces the opportunity to bring account leadership and client business to a whole new level.

 

From her UP Sigma Delta Phi sorority, I came across this news item written by Madi Belen 08:

 

“CELEVEL RANOCO- BUTLER IS SAATCHI SINGAPORE’S GENERAL MANAGER

 

Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore promoted senior brand director, Celevel Ranoco-Butler ’93, to the post of Singapore general manager in 2010, filling a role that had been vacant for nine months after Robbie Bempasciuto’s departure in 2009. Celevel oversees the office’s daily operations and reports to Dean Taylor, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore and Malaysia.
Prior to her appointment as general manager,

Celevel was the Regional Brand Director at Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore. Her work involved managing the high-profile and first global Sony Ericsson campaign and launching impressive 7 x 360 degrees campaigns for brands like premium home beer brand, Tiger.

 

Her previous work experience has also included positions with O2 Asia & ME, Y&R Singapore, M&C Saatchi, and 141 Worldwide and Bates Advertising.
Of her work in Saatchi, Celevel says that she “enjoys the high energy agency life and thrives when things get mad busy.

 

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

Who will run in 2013 elections in Bohol & other tidbits

• Who will run, who will not, who may, who might

• Family and friends mourn the death of Uly Dolojol

 

Wake-uppers:

Seen:  VanVan aka Guadalajara Mimosa de Salamanca is representing Miss Paraguay in the Queen of Cebu 2012, a pageant for alternatives, on Nov. 9.  “She is another pride of Bohol beaming towards bagging the most prestigious Search for Queen of Cebu 2012,” says fashion icon EJ Relampagos. To support Miss Paraguay, visit Queen of Cebu on Facebook.

 

Scene: Some 6,000 barangay officials from the 1,109 barangays all over Bohol and other invited guests welcomed Pres. Noynoy Aquino on Sept. 26, at the Bohol Wisdom School gym for the 1st Bohol Barangay Day celebration. Pres. Aquino also stood as witness to the oathtaking of hundreds of converts of the Liberal Party. Spotted were Senator TJ Guingona,  Energy Secretary Rene Almendras, Secretary Edwin Lacierda, Akbayan Rep. Riza Hontiveros , Gov. Edgar Chatto, Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim, Rep. Rene Relampagos (1st district, Bohol), Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes, ABC President Crispina Vergara, Ae Damalerio and provincial board members .

 

Scene: Alay Lakad 2012 is on October 7 instead of Sept. 30, which is Milo Marathon day.

 

***

The sudden death of eventologist and Alona's darling, Uly Dolojol, last Sunday, Sept. 23, shocked friends all over Bohol. The outpouring of grief was immediate, with one common refrain: Alona Beach had lost one of its greatest persons.

 

Bohol's seasoned host Raul Gatal, one of Uly’s closest friends, says it all:

 

I have been in a state of catatonia since I received the devastating news yesterday morning that a good friend of mine has just passed away.

 

Raul and Uly (right) in 2009

I am grieving and I am so saddened by his untimely demise. Mind you, it's not pro forma grief but real pain and anguish

 

Early last year, just before the 10th year bash of his swinging Oops! Bar which is ideally located right smack in the middle of the entire Alona Beach stretch, we had a falling out. It was a simple, petty misunderstanding that soon blew out of proportion. Add some intrigues here and bloated egos there and it was a point of no return. Some well- meaning friends tried to step in and intervene but these were simply exercises in futility

 

Crossing paths in a very small community where everybody knows everybody became an acid test for civility. Exchanging dagger looks and giving each other the cold shoulder treatment became a common occurrence that it soon bordered on the comical. But what's funny about losing a friend? The wedges between us became so deep that it became clear to those in the know that it was impossible for us to become friends again. 

 

I thought I had moved on. I thought I had everything covered. I was coasting along with my second lease on life when the call came yesterday morning

 

Right now, I am so distraught and my heart bleeds for dear Uly with whom I shared a lot of personal and private triumphs, the small intoxicating doses of hedonism and his constant advice on how to live a worry- free life. He is gone now and I really regret that I wasn't able to say sorry and for not telling him how wonderful he was as a friend

 

Alona Beach would never be the same again. Uly was the master planner and a wiz when it comes to events and especially when it has something to do with creating noise and making waves.  The signature pose, his boisterous laughter and his witty punchlines ...all these would be memories from now on. 

 

I'm sure right now as I am blogging this very minute that Uly is up there and peering down from where he is ensconced, he is asking "My oh my, what's the big fuss dahleeng?"

 

Uly, sleep tight now.  Goodbye, my friend...

 

***

“Yes, wala nay atrasay, go, go, go na si Congressman Arthur Yap,” a political consultant and businesswoman aka the Genius Lady (GL) told Bared in a chance interview the other day at The Buzzz Cafe.

 

The widely-smiling GL was shopping alone, sans the usual alalay (factotum) rich people can’t do without.

 

“I love reading your column but you no longer include tsismis and blind items!” said GL. “Those are colorful elements of entertainment column.”

 

With a glass of corn coffee and carrot muffins, the conversation proceeded without any further hitch.

 

“Dong Leo, Yap is not afraid of Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan, businessman Angelo Balili and Dr. Elpidio Jala this coming election. Yap is really prepared,” warned GL, making the sign of “okay”.

 

3^rd district Rep. Arthur Yap (center) who is seeking reelection might face businessman Angelo Balili (left) and educator Elpidio Jala in 2013 elections.

Added GL: “Congressman Yap is running to further serve the people of third district because three years is  too short a period for a long list of projects and full program to make up for the many years prior his stint that 3^rd district  had been lagging behind the two other districts in the province.”

 

How about the critics who are (again) saying Rep.Yap is not a pure Boholano?

 

“Who is lumad nga Bol-anon among us? It’s the Eskaya tribe. Not the critics. Moreover, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has already resolved the issue on his residency wherein Comelec ruled that Yap has complied the minimum length of time required for him to qualify to run as congressman of 3^rd district. That cropped up in 2010 elections. And after having served for over two years and a half, obviously the issue is moot and academic. The people will vote you not because you are Boholano or not, but because you showed sincerity and your intentions are genuine. Depriving one to serve because he is not lumad Bol-anon is racial discrimination.”

 

Flashing a big mysterious smile, GL whispered, “There will be a lot of surprises next week! You wait and see!”

 

And while we are at it, here’s a rundown of those who will run, who will not run, who may run and who might not run in 2013 elections (that is, if, a big if, there would be elections next year). We will know who are officially running after the filing of certificate of candidacy (CoC) on Oct. 1-5. The list will grow longer and longer. You bet?

WHO WILL RUN

• Incumbent Gov. Edgar Chatto (For same position)

• Carmen Mayor Che Toribio-Delos Reyes (For Governor)

 

• Rep. Rene Relampagos (For reelection)

 

• Rep. Arthur Yap (For same position)

• Vice Governor Conching Lim (For reelection?)

 

• Rep. Erico Aumentado (For same position)                        

 

• Dr. Abe Lim (For Mayor of Tagbilaran City)                        

 

• Ex-Tagbilaran City Councilor Dodong Gonzaga (For Mayor of Tagbilaran City)

 

• Ex-Tagbilaran City Vice Mayor Toto Veloso (For Vice Mayor of Tagbilaran City)

 

• Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes (For Congressman of 2^nd District of Bohol)

 

• Tagbilaran City Councilor Baba Yap (For Mayor of Tagbilaran)

 

• Tagbilaran City Councilor Kit Oppus (For Vice Mayor of Tagbilaran)

 

• Danao Mayor Thomas Gonzaga (For reelection)

 

• Panglao Vice-Mayor Evangeline Lazaro (For Mayor of Panglao?)

 

• Tagbilaran City Vice-Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes (For reelection)

 

• Ubay Mayor Eutiquio Bernales (For reelection)

 

• Dauis Mayor Jimmy Jimenez (For reelection)

 

• Sevilla Mayor Ernesita Digal (For reelection)

 

• Former Dagohoy Mayor Sofronio Apat (For Mayor)

 

• Loay Mayor Rosemarie Imboy (For reelection)

 

• Buenavista Mayor Ronald Lowell Tirol (For reelection)

 

• Mark Leo Monton (For Mayor of Balilihan)

 

• Ex-Tagbilaran City Councilor Dandan Bantugan (For Councilor of Tagbilaran City?)

 

• Inabanga Mayor Jono Jumamoy (For reelection)

 

• Bien Unido Mayor Niño Rey Boniel (For reelection)

 

• Gerry Pabe (For Councilor of Tagbilaran City)

WHO WILL NOT
• Ex-barangay captain Glorivic Yap ("Running for Tagbilaran City Councilor? She is campaigning for Gonzaga-Veloso!")

• Tessie Labunog-Sumampong ("For Councilor of Loboc? My husband Libby will run!")

 

• Aris Aumentado (“For board member? He will file his CoC in 2016!”)

 

• Ex-Mayor Jose Torralba (“For Mayor of Tagbilaran City? He will be campaigning for his wife Councilor Betty Torralba!”)

 

• Ex-Provincial Board Member Amalia Reyes-Tirol (“For Mayor of Ubay? She is busy as a wife and grandma!”)

 

• UB Registrar Leah Tirol-Magno (“For Councilor of Tagbilaran City? She is busy as an ICT Princess!”)

 

• Dr. Mutya Kismet Tirol- Macuno (“For Mayor of Ubay? She runs too, and plays tennis also!”)

WHO MAY RUN
• Businessman Angelo Balili (For Congressman of the 3^rd district of Bohol?)

 

• Ex-Dauis Mayor Lulu Bongalos (For Mayor?                                                           )

 

• Andy Manatad (For Congressman of the 2nd district of Bohol?)

• Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim (For Congressman of 1^st district of Bohol?)

 

• Ex-Catigbian Councilor Doris Dinorog-Obena (For Mayor of Catigbian?)

• Ex-Panglao Councilor Nila Montero (For Mayor of Panglao?)

• Dr. Elpidio Jala (For Congressman of the 3^rd district of Bohol?)

• Ex Vice-Governor Julius Cesar Herrera (For Vice Governor? Or, for Congressman of the 1^st district of Bohol?)

 

• Former SK Bohol President Bobbith Cajes-Auza (For Mayor of Talibon?)

 

• Ex-provincial board member Corazon Galbreath (For Mayor of Bilar?)   

 

• Provincial Administrator Ae Damalerio (For Vice Governor?)

 

• Catigbian Mayor Bert Salinas (For Board Member? Or, for Congressman of the 1^st district of Bohol?)

 

• Former Panglao Vice Mayor Pedro Fuertes (For Vice Mayor of Panglao?)

 

WHO MIGHT RUN

• Dr. Sharleen Lim (For Vice Governor?)

• Ed Macalandag (For Councilor of Tagbilaran City?)

• Barangay Captain Arlene Karaan (For board member?)

 

• Booy Barangay Captain Jun Telmo (For Councilor of Tagbilaran City?)

 

• Actor Cesar Montano (For Bohol Governor? "He is running in Manila.")

 

• Former Governor David Tirol (For Board Member? (“I didn’t hear it too. But he is running everyday, about more than 1 km. a day!”)

***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

Aumentado feels healthy after fresh cell treatment

Wake-uppers:

 

Scene: Twelve candidates are vying for Miss Jagna 2012 on Sept. 24, 9 p.m. at Jagna gym.

 

VP Binay with Mayor Che

Scene: Vice President Jejomar Binay was in Bohol last Thursday, Sept. 20, to meet with local officials and swear in new members of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Carmen Mayor Che Toribio- Delos Reyes was sworn in as new member of UNA by VP Binay. Mayor Che will run for governor under the UNA in the 2013 elections, according to VP Binay. Also spotted during the oath taking ceremony were: former Bohol Vice-Governor Julius Cesar Herrera, Dauis Mayor Jimmy Jimenez and his complete slate, Getafe Mayor Cary Camacho and his complete slate, Mayor Eutiquio Bernales with his Vice Mayor Constantino Reyes and 43 barangay captains and kagawads, San Isidro Mayor Jacinto Naraga and his complete slate, former Dagohoy Mayor Sofronio Apat and his complete slate, Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, Tagbilaran City Vice-Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes, Danao Mayor Thomas Gonzaga, Aris Aumentado, Madame Greenie Aumentado, Buenavista Mayor Ronald Lowell Tirol, Maribojoc Vice Mayor Fructuoso Fiel Redulla, Jr. , former Panglao Vice Mayor Pedro Fuertes, Panglao Vice-Mayor Evangeline Lazaro, Mark Leo Monton, Rammel Cagulada and businessman Norris Oculam.

 

Scene: LAUGHTEARS- The OSANG X-perience is on Oct. 13, at the Timeout Grill, La Vista, 5th level of Bohol Quality Mall. Osang who had a spot in X-Factor Philippines will tickle your funny bones. The girls of Bohol’s Top Model 2012 will show their flesh in the lingerie fashion show. Young indie film actor and commercial endorser of Dakki Marcus Cabrera will grace the event. The event is also part of eventologist Mizken's birthday celebration.

 

Seen: Rockstar Princess Yeng Constantino was at the University of Bohol last Thursday. Her concert was part of the UB Days celebration.

 

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Parking spaces become ‘park’ for a day

 

Architecture students of Bohol Island State University-Main Campus parked themselves last Friday, Sept. 21, at the Tagbilaran City Square taking up spaces reserved for cars and transforming them into a mini park with sod, potted plants, benches, chessboard and a bike to make Tagbilaran City greener for a day.

 

Park visitors were offered the chance to have a free picture taking and portrait making. Tweng and his friends also entertained the crowd through fliptop rap battle.

 

The "Park(ing) Day" movement started as a single installation years ago in San Francisco and has become a worldwide event reaching more than 100 cities on four continents.

 

Visit www.facebook.com/ParkingDayBohol for more info.

 

***

Stem/fresh cell therapy has become a buzzword these days. Many people claim that the costly but groundbreaking medical procedure can treat various diseases and help slow or reverse the aging process.

 

Aumentado with Boholanos in Germany...

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, former President Joseph Estrada, hairstylist Ricky Reyes, talent manager and host Lolit Solis, actress Lorna Tolentino and former First Lady Imelda Marcos are only among the prominent Filipinos who swear by the healing effects of fresh cell therapy.

 

Marcos still retains her youthful piquancy at age of 83. Estrada, 75, shared that the stem cell therapy made him feel young. On the other hand, Enrile, 88 years old, impressed the public with his sharp mind and memory at the Corona impeachment trial earlier this year.

 

Encouraged by the positive feedback, Rep. Erico Aumentado, 72, who used to suffer from diabetes (his pancreas don’t normally produce insulin), said in a radio interview, he went to Germany last August for fresh cell therapy.

 

Aumentado had already inquired about the fees of stem cell procedure at Medical City and he felt it’s exorbitant. And there’s no guarantee it will lead to better result. With the help of Joey Santos, executive consultant for Villa Medica, a clinic in Germany where celebrities go for the procedure, Aumentado opted to undergo the procedure in Germany to keep healthy.

 

It’s his son Aris accompanied him in Germany during the entire sessions. After a number of sessions, the solon is feeling better. They went to France and stayed for more days where the solon also met some Boholanos there.

 

“While in Lourdes, he had no difficulty walking and climbing up and down a flight of stairs without an aid,” said globetrotter VRS who saw Aumentado at the grotto. “He took everybody by surprise… he is healthy, strong and fresh, very different from the last time I met him in Bohol.”

 

After the therapy, Aumentado hopes to feel healthy and renewed, ready to register his certificate of candidacy as congressman of the second district of Bohol.

 

with son Aris in France

Before Aumentado and other celebrities, several other well-known figures worldwide are said to have tried fresh cell treatments, among them the late English actor Charlie Chaplin.

 

So how is this procedure done? According to ABS-CBN News, Dr. Robert Janson-Muller, who runs a fresh cell therapy clinic, Villa Ludwigshöhe in Germany, was in Manila last week to talk about the possibilities of fresh cell therapy in the wellness sphere.

 

Here are some excerpts of the news (still according to ABS-CBN):

 

Janson-Muller gets his embryonic cells from sheep. He reveals that he is the third generation fresh cell expert in the family, where his grandfather was one of the pioneers of the treatment along with Prof. Paul Niehans, who ministered to many famous names in world history.

 

Janson-Muller made it clear that fresh cell therapy is different from the now controversial stem cell treatment, which aims to replace damaged organs in the body or create one from scratch.

 

He stressed that his methods, which do not promise miracles, have been proven effective by his predecessors for the past 60 years.

 

Janson-Muller proudly said the positive effects of fresh cell therapy on humans. He said the procedure can help patients recover from neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis or paralysis after a stroke, as well as chronic liver and kidney diseases.

 

The treatment promises firmer skin, muscle mass improvement, alleviation of menopause-related symptoms, enhanced metabolism, stronger immune system, better memory, and even a progressive sex life. To make the anti-aging treatment more effective, Janson-Muller suggests getting it done between the 40s and 50s.

 

After the treatment, the patient is advised to live a healthy lifestyle (where nicotine and alcohol are discouraged) exercise, good stress management and supplements are also prescribed.  

 

Janson-Muller stressed, however, that fresh cell therapy is neither a “fountain of youth” nor a treatment that can cure cancer or prolong lives that are already in danger, as claimed by others.

 

“Is there a fountain of youth?” Muller asked the audience at the press event. He answered his own query by debunking that age-old pursuit as an illusion. “According to Prof. Paul Niehans, it is not about giving more years to live but make the remaining years worth living.”

 

It is not for everyone, the doctor said, as the procedure is not allowed to be done on pregnant women as well as patients with tuberculosis, malignant tumors in the acute stage, severe psychoses and those displaying strong allergic reactions.

 

Because of the very specialized procedure, fresh cell therapy is quite expensive, something that Janson-Muller himself admits. The initial treatment, which will involve a four-day stay in his state-of-the-art clinic in Germany, costs 12,000 euros or over P622,000.

 

The Medical City and other hospitals in the country like St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig, and the Kidney and Transplant Institute are providing stem cell therapy. A six-month program for stem cell therapy, in the Medical City at least, is priced at around P2.2-P2.5 million for disease-related services, while for the health and wellness (or aesthetic purposes), the therapy is at around P1.4-P1.6 million.

 

(Note:The Philippine Medical Association and the Department of Health have advised the public to be careful about choosing where to go for the procedure. Medical experts claimed that there have yet to hear about clinical studies that would prove that the procedure can treat diseases without negative side effects.)

 

 ***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.